Christmas shopping: so many decisions, so little time! If you’re struggling with keuzestress (aka ‘choice stress’), stick to the William Morris mantra of only choosing things that are useful and beautiful. (more…)
The annual escape has begun! Nah, not the hell of Heathrow airport, but the olfactory escape of citrus colognes and wanderlust perfumes. While last year’s big summer scent was all about the return to eau-de-sun-sea-and-sex beachy hedonism, I feel this summer leans more to Mediterranean citruses and herbaceous green notes. (more…)
When it comes to gift guides, I always think about the things I’d like to receive. I’m actually very easy to buy for as I’m content with socks, books and edibles. Posh edibles are my top choice as a gift as you can just buy the person the elevated version of whatever their favourite thing is. (Pierre Marcolini chocs are my faves if anyone’s wondering, with Alain Ducasse chocolate and hazelnut spread a very close second.) Tea and biscuits are a particular no-brainer. Fortnums, Liberty and Harrods are especially good for these as the packaging is just sublime and the tins are obviously reusable. Plus, a stroll through the Harrods Food Hall or Fortnum’s biscuit room is surely an essential part of the Christmas experience, right? (more…)
This has to be one of the most genius post-Covid launches I’ve seen.
Byredo’s Ben Gorham has teamed up with IKEA to produce a line of scented candles in rustic-chic ceramic holders, which will sell for as little as £5. If there’s one thing we cherish now, it’s things that make our homes feel secure and comforting. Candles were one of the unsurprising successes of lockdown, with Perfumer H reporting an uptick of its hand-poured cult candles at the height of the pandemic and start-ups like Good Candles popping up out of nowhere. (more…)